Bernadette Hoy

With over 31 years of experience in family law, Bernadette Hoy is a highly respected and sought-after expert in both complex financial and children-related matters. As Joint Head of the Family Law Department at Collins & Hoy, Bernadette offers strategic, compassionate advice to clients navigating divorce, separation, and family breakdown—often during the most challenging times in their lives.

She is particularly known for her skill in resolving high-value financial disputes, including cases involving business assets, trusts, pensions, properties and tax considerations. Her ability to identify and manage complex financial structures while keeping her clients’ long-term goals in focus has made her a trusted adviser in even the most sensitive and high-stakes cases.

In addition to her financial expertise, Bernadette has extensive experience in handling complex Children Act proceedings, particularly where there are:

• Allegations of parental alienation
• Allegations of emotional or physical abuse
• Intractable contact disputes
• Schedule 1 Children Act claims, involving financial provision for children outside of divorce proceedings

Her calm, child-focused approach helps parents navigate these difficult issues with care and clarity. She is known for being both robust and sensitive, providing realistic advice while ensuring that children’s welfare remains central to every case.

Bernadette is also a highly experienced and accredited Family Mediator, offering a range of modern and flexible approaches for clients seeking to resolve issues outside of court. Her qualifications include:

• Hybrid Mediation – enabling the involvement of lawyers and other professionals in mediation
• Child-Inclusive Mediation – giving children a voice in the process, where appropriate

Bernadette also offers Resolution Together (One Lawyer, Two Clients) – a model that allows separating couples to receive joint legal support and reach a mutually agreed outcome

As a Collaborative Family Lawyer since 2007, Bernadette has built a reputation for helping clients avoid adversarial proceedings where possible, while always being ready to represent their interests firmly and effectively when litigation is required.

Qualifications

• Law Degree LLB (Hons)
• Accredited Family Mediator (Law Society)
• Child Inclusive Mediator (Family Mediation Association)